Area Rug Buying Guide

Don’t forget the floor when decorating your home. It’s the ideal place to mix style and function. Area rugs corral dirt, provide a comfy surface to walk on, and can pull together the look of an entire room.

With thousands of patterns, colors, and shapes to choose from, selecting the perfect rug for your space can be a challenge.  We’ve put together some tips to help you find the right fit for every space and budget.

Examine Your Space

Where your rug is going, and what it will be used for, should be your first consideration. High-traffic areas like entryways, kitchens and hallways call for sturdy, easy-to-clean fibers in colors or patterns that can hide dirt. Fashion will be one of your top concerns for seating areas, dining rooms and bedrooms.

The Perfect Fit

A rug that’s too large or too small will look like an afterthought. Selecting the correct size rug for your space is important, but it doesn’t have to be difficult.

Whole Room Rugs

Rugs with the same length-to-width ratio as your room are the most visually pleasing. Aim for a rug that will leave an even amount of space from each wall – 12 to 24 inches is ideal. For example, an 8’ x 10’ rug would be a great fit for a 12’ x 14’ room.

Seating Areas

A well-placed rug can create an inviting conversation space. Start by arranging the furniture as you’d like, then measure the total footprint. There are three common design techniques for adding a rug to a furniture grouping:

• All Legs On: Choose a rug large enough for all furniture legs to rest on.
• Front Legs On: Choose a rug large enough for just the front furniture legs to rest on.
• No Legs On: The rug is centered in the seating area within the furniture legs.

Entryways and Foyers

These rugs need to be hardworking and attractive. Not only do they offer a first impression of your home, they grab dirt, rain and snow before it can get tracked through the rest of the house. Select the right size to welcome your guests in style.

• For maximum impact and function, choose a rug that is at least as wide as the front door.
• Leave about a foot between the edge of the rug and the walls.
• Choose a pile depth that allows doors to swing freely.
• Play with the scale of your rug to make a narrow entry seem wider. Rather than trying to match the length-to-width ratio of a narrow entryway, choosing a slightly wider rug can visually stretch the space. Just make sure to leave space between the edge of the rug and the wall.
• Consider a round rug for a square foyer.

Though it might be tempting to throw down a strictly functional dirt-catcher, this is not the place to skimp on style. The entryway is the perfect space to make a great first impression.

Dining Rooms

Start by measuring your dining room table. The rug you choose will ideally be 24 inches larger on each side to allow the chairs to remain on the rug even when your guests are seated.

Because the length-to-width ratio of dining room tables is rarely the same as area rugs, it’s unlikely that you’ll find an exact match. Aim for a rug that’s large enough to accommodate all of the chairs while still fitting within the space.

Kitchens

Runners and small rugs are great for providing a little cushion while you stand at the sink or stove. For whole-room kitchen rugs, allow about six inches between the rug edge and cabinet bases.

Bedrooms

To highlight the bed, choose a rug that will extend at least 24 inches from each side. Take into consideration whether or not the bed is against a wall. Smaller rugs or runners can be laid along the sides of the bed where your feet hit the floor.

Hallways

Runners are a good choice for these long, narrow spaces. Choose a runner that leaves about 6” between the rug edge and the wall.

Color, Pattern and Texture

Some people have a knack for mixing colors and patterns. For those who need some guidance, these simple tips can help create a harmonious look.

• If the drapes or fabric upholstery is patterned, consider a solid-color rug. Dimensional weaves and textures can add visual interest.
• Patterned rugs can ramp up the style in rooms with an otherwise neutral color palette. Choose one or more colors from the rug to use in accent pillows and other decorative pieces for a pulled-together look.
• Multi-colored and patterned rugs help hide dirt and are a good choice for high-traffic areas.

Layers of Style

Area rugs aren’t just for hard-surface floors. They can add warmth and interest to outdated carpeting or cover up carpet wear and stains. A rug pad can help reduce shifting and keep everything in place. Try layering different sized area rugs in complementary colors and styles for visual impact.

Construction

Knowing how a rug is made and what it’s made of can help you make an informed buying decision.

Material

Natural Fibers

• Cotton is an affordable, hypoallergenic, and easy-to-clean material. Many cotton rugs are machine washable.
• Plant fibers, like bamboo, banana, hemp, jute, linen, seagrass, and sisal, are durable and affordable.
• Leather and animal hide rugs provide a unique look and feel, but require special care to keep clean.
• Wool is a durable, water resistant, and stain resistant material. The yarn is made from the hair of sheep and other animals, making it renewable and sustainable. It contains natural properties that deter bacteria and dust mites. The resilient fibers bounce back quickly from indentations caused by foot traffic or furniture, keeping the material looking new longer.

Synthetic Fibers

Manmade fibers including acrylic, nylon and polypropylene are generally budget-friendly and stain-resistant.

• Acrylic rugs are moderately priced and durable.
• Polypropylene is a very durable and affordable material. Polypropylene rugs hold colors well, and resist stains, mildew, and fading from UV rays, making them a popular choice for outdoor use.
• Viscose is a shiny, synthetic shiny fiber which is sometimes called “art silk.”  It is generally blended with other fibers to create rugs.
• Polyester is a soft, durable, and affordable material. Polyester rugs retain color well, are easy to clean, and resist stains.

Construction

Handmade

• Hand-knotted: Artisans knot each thread individually into a backing. These highly durable rugs take up to seven months to produce and can last for more than 20 years.
• Hand-tufted and Hand-hooked: Produced by using a hand tool to punch yarn into a backing. It takes one or two months to produce a rug. These rugs are more affordable than hand-knotted and will last between three and ten years.
• Hand-loomed: Created by weaving horizontal threads through vertical threads on a loom.

Machine Made

Produced on mechanized looms, these rugs are a very affordable option. They can be produced more quickly than handmade rugs.

Caring for Your Rug

• Use a rug pad to prevent sliding, wrinkling, and premature breakdown of the fibers.
• Rugs with a regular pile should be vacuumed about once a week.
• Shag rugs should be taken outside and shaken to remove dirt and debris.
• Looped and braided rugs can be vacuumed, but it is best to remove the vacuum beater bar if possible, or set the vacuum to its highest level.